Liquid-measuring device



7, 1929. J; E. BUSHNELL 1,740,390

' V MLIQUID MEAiJElING DEVICE Filed Feb. 27, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 17, 1929. J. E. B/USHNELL 1,740,390

LIQUID MEASURING DEVICE Filed F eb.'27. 1928 2$heets-$heet 2 awuewtoz WWM. 2

measuring after JAllIES E. BUSHNELL, 01* NORTH PLAINFIELD, NEV] JERSEY, ASSIGNOB TO RANSGME CONCRETE MACHINERY CQMPANY, O1 PLAINFIELD, NEN JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY LIQUID-MEASURING DEVICE Application filed February 27, 1928. Serial No. 257,219.

The present improvements relate generally to water measuring tanks for concrete mixers, and more particularly to a compensation means in association therewith.

In concrete mixers commonly employed, it is the practice to produce freshly mixed concrete by introducing the cement, dry aggregates, water, etc. in definite proportions, into a mixer where they are commixed for a fixed period. It is essential in devices of this character that the percentage of water for each given batch be definite within certain prescribed limits, so that proper hydration of the mass will result. Under varying conditions of use, it has been noted that an excess of water is present in the delivered batch, regardless of the care exercised in accurately determining the proper ratio of the ingredients.

This variation in the water content is ascribed to climatic and other conditions experienced by the dry ingredients prior to their introduction into the mixer, as well as the natural state of said ingredients them selves, whereby a certain percentage of moisture is absorbed by said ingredients. Obviously, various conditions may cause the moisture content of these so-called nonaqueous ingredients to be increased, so that their natural as well as absorbed water content, may be sufficient, when the predetermined measured amount of water is added, to result in a batch having an excess of water, thereby producing a mixture which may be unfit for use due to incomplete or over-hydration thereof. Methods are available for predetermining the moisture content of the ingredients to be used in the batch.

As this moisture content materially affects the character of the delivered mass, the present improvements have as their primary object, among others, the provision of a moisture gauge or compensating means, in combination with the usual water tank and volume indicator, whereby compensation for this predetermined water content may be made at the water measuring tank prior to the introduction to the mixer of the measured Water.

Other objects and advantages of the present improvements will be apparent to those familiar to the art, upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a measuring tank, parts broken away, embodying the present improvements;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section taken on 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a modified form;

Fig. 4 is a section of a measuring tank, having the device of Fig. 3 applied thereto.

Referring to Figure 1, one form of the present improvements has been shown in combination with a water measuring tank 5 of the type described and claimed in my copending application filed May 2, 1928, Serial No. 274,415. This tank is mounted on or adjacent the concrete mixing machine and conveniently positioned with respect to the charging opening of the rotary drum of said machine whereby the measured contents of the tank may be discharged through pipe 6 into said drum. The general organization of such a mixer is well known, and comprises, among other elements, means for introducing cement, aggregates, water, etc. into a rotary mixing drum to be commixed preparatory to place ment.

The illustrated tank is provided with a water glass 7 and check valve 8. A vertically movable drum 9 is disposed within the tank 5, being of slightly less diameter than said tank, so that a small clearance exists between the respective vertical walls there of. Said drum is conveniently suspended for vertical movement on screw shaft 10, one end of which enters said drum through threaded nut 11. Said shaft 10 projects through the tank top 12, and has keyed thereto or otherwise connected therewith, at its outer end, hand wheel 13 having a gear 14 rotatable therewith. By rotating said wheel, the drum 9 is caused to travel verti' cally within the tank 5, through the coaction of screw shaft 10 and nut 11. Rotation of the drum 9 is prevented by reason of contact between the drum wall and pipe (3. In thus moving said drum the capacity of the tank may be varied at will. That is to say, when the amount of water to be dis charged, is determined for the given batch, the drum 9 may be set by wheel 13, only the contents of the tank above pipe 6 and drum 9 discharging to the mixer. In this manner the water to be discharged may be measured for each batch.

A frame is provided on the tank top 12, for positioning shaft 10 and wheel 13, as well as affording a bearing therefor. Suitably mounted in bearings in said frame, isascrew rod 16 being arranged parallel to shaft 10, and having at its upper "end a gear '17 in mesh with gear 14 on wheel 13. A screw threaded nut or carriage 1 8 is mounted for vertical travel on screw rod 16, said nut having a bi.- furcated arm '19 projecting laterally therefrom and embracing bolt 20 of frame 15.

The carriage 18 also comprises a laterally projecting support '21 having oppositely opposed spaced clips 22, 23, and 24, one of which is formed as a pointer 24.

A moisture compensating gauge or seal 25, having suitable 'gra'duations thereon, is mounted for vertical adjustment in the clips 22, 23, andi24 as illustrated. Said scale carries apointer '26,hereinafterreferredto. The clip 23 is provided with a set screw 27 for holding scale 25 in "adjusted position on the carriage 18. ()bviously the set screw may be dispensed with and a spring clip or other friction means provided 'for'securing the scale'or gauge '25 in set jposition.

Associated withsca-le 25 is a second scale'or indicator 28, fixedly mounted on frame 15,

as "illustrated, so that pointer 26 convenientlyride along same. Theindicator28 is suitably calibrated to read in gallons and fractions thereof although, if desired, maybe graduated to register pounds, percentages or any other values. The arrangement of this indicator is such that it will register the true volume of water discharged from the tank.

The operation of the improvements is as follows: The moisture contentof the aggregate is first determined by any method desired. The operator then sets the moisture compensating gauge or scale 25, so that the pointer 24 on carriage 1 8-is opposite the scale readingon the gauge 25'correspondingto the moisture content 'o'fthe aggregate. The scale 25 isthen clamped inthi's position by set screw 27-and then the hand wheel '13 is rotated until "the pointer 26 on scale '25 comesopposite the desired total watercontent on water indicator 28. This movement of wheel 13, obviously, moves drum 9 to a position corresponding to the true volume indicated on scale 28 minus the moisture'conte'nt previously set on scale 25, so that the quantity discharged from the tank 5 plus the aggregate moisture content will equal the desired total reigstered by pointer 26 on indicator 28. It is thus seen, that by applying =the correction for moisture content of the aggregate on scale 25, a variation is obtained between the actual volume to be discharged and the indicated volume. By the present improvements, therefore, the desired water content for the batch is secured, thus eliminating the excess of water frequently found to 'be present for reasons heretofore noted.

Obviously when the moisture gauge :25 is set at Zero, thereby afiordlng no variation between pointers 24 and 26, the tankdlscharge equals the amount read from the indicator 28.

In this position of the scales, the true discharge from the tank is registered on said inlicator. Accordingly, the position of nut or carriage 18, which 'correspondsto the position of the water regulating means "9 in the tank, determines the amount of water discharged by the tank.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate a modified form of compensating means applied to atank wherein the actuating means for the drum 9, is positioned at the side rather than'at the top ofthe tank; Rotary motion from the hand Wheel 13, is imparted to screw shaft 10", throughshaft "30 land bevel gears 31, any suitable means, such as supports '32, 33, being provided for said elements. A-n indicator dial suitabl calibrated to read 'allons or 'frac- J trons thereof ror'indlcating the true dlscharge from the 'tanln is fixedly mounted 'on the face of support 33 so that shaft 30 passes through an aperture in the center thereof. A hub or sleeve 35, carrying pointer 36, is keyed or otherwise operatively connected to shaft 30. A moisturecompensating guage, in the form of a'segmen'talsca le 37, is moun'ted on the outside ofhu'b 35,beingadjustablysecured thereto by an integral split collar 38 and wing screw 39. Said scale is graduated, as iinthe embodiment first described, in gallons, fraction-thereof, or percent-ages'as desired, for'setting moisture content as previously described. A pointer '40 1s provided on scale 37,=wh1ch rides along fixed scale or indicator 34. The

aforementioned elements are arranged and proportioned so as to present the relation illustrated in Fig. '3. V

The functioning o'fthemodified form "is apparent. The proper moisture reading is set opposite pointer 36, by loosening screw 39,

cable inequahdegree toiany tankemploying' a similar means for regulating the volume of water discharged therefrom.

I claim:

1. In a tank of the character described, the

combination of means for varying the capacity of the tank, a scale for indicating the tank capacity and an adjustable scale operatively connected with said means and responsive to movements thereof, said scales being opera- 1O tively associated.

2. A variable capacity water tank construction comprising a tank, a member movable therein for predetermining the tank discharge, an element responsive tomovement of said member, an adjustable scale mounted on said element and an indicator associated with said scale.

3. A water tank having an indicator for reading the tank discharge, an adjustable cor- 2G rection scale associated with said indicator and means operatively connected with said scale for varying the volume to be discharged from the tank.

4:. In a concrete mixing apparatus, a device compensating for moisture content of non-aqueous ingredients comprising a water measuring tank having an element movable therein for determining the tank discharge, an indicator arranged to register the true tank discharge and an adjustable scale adapted to be set at a predetermined reading associated with said movable element and said indicator, all so arranged and constructed that a variation may be caused between the actual and indicated discharge.

A water tank having an indicator means for reading the tank discharge, an adjustable correction-indicator means associated with said first named indicator means, and means operatively connected with one of said indicator means for varying the volume to be discharged from the tank.

Witness my hand this 24- day 01": February, 19:27, county of Middlesex, State of New Jersey.

JAMES E. BUSHNELL. 

